General Information

For alpine skiers ages 8-19

Powderhorn Racing Club’s USSA Program is designed for the athlete who wants to pursue the most competitive racing program within the USSA Age Class and Ability Class systems. Our program is divided into two groups: the Age Class Program for athletes ages 8-14 and the Ability Program for athletes ages 15-19.

The Age Class team participates in USSA Age Class races. Races ages are as follows: U10 birth years 03-04, U12 birth years 01-02, U14 birth years 00-99, and U16 birth years 97-98. U16s and U14s also enter the Junior Olympic qualifying ladder. Coaching will focus on ski techniques and race tactics utilizing drills and free skiing with an emphasis on gate training.

The Ability Class team participates in FIS, Powerbar/ BULA, Junior Olympics and the Tom Garner games based on their individual qualifications and recommendations of the coaching staff. Coaching will focus on ski techniques, race tactics, mental preparation, goal setting and achievement.

The USSA athlete’s “contact coach” will recommend race event participation based on skill level, physical fitness, safety and how appropriate the event is for the athlete’s racing development. Athletes and parents may decline to participate in any event. Physical conditioning will be offered as an important part of ski racing for both injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Requirements

Athletes must be able to commit to weekend and holiday training as applicable to the age group.

All USSA racers are required to be current members of both the United States Ski Association (USSA) and the Rocky Mountain Division (RMD). Returning members should receive renewal applications in the mail and new members can get them on the USSA website.

With a membership, racers receive a competition guide. Parents and racers should read this carefully, pay special attention to the RMD age class section, the racer code of conduct and the alpine rules.

USSA requires the use of helmets for racers for all GS and speed events. The PRC requires that all athletes use helmets for all free skiing, training and racing events.

Dryland Training

Dryland training takes place in October and November on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Early Season

Early Season begins wtih Thanksgiving weekend and the World Cup in Aspen. We go up to free ski and watch the best female skiers in the world

Season

Thw Season starts with the first day of the Winter Holiday Camp. This includes the full Winter Camp and Saturdays, Sundays and race events through March (or the final race).